visual artist and curator based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

This spring, I was granted a Presentation Grant from Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture & Heritage. This funding enabled me to mount two solo exhibitions, at the Vernon Public Art Gallery and Gallery Vertigo, in Vernon, BC from 21-31 May 2010.

At Gallery Vertigo, I exhibited a selection from The Archive. There were only room for five drawings, so I exhibited those featured in the catalogue. Thanks to Judith Jurica, Director, and Joanna Pringle, with whom I shared an opening.

At the Vernon Public Art Gallery, I drew on the walls for the length of my stay to create Housescape. The walls were in excellent condition and took the drawing just like paper. After having completed a test at ARTsPLACE earlier in the month, I was prepared for the length of time it would take me to complete the even larger drawing. The gallery staff were fabulous: Lubos Culen, Curator; Dauna Grant, Director; Cyan Kregosky, Curatorial Assistant, Joanne Sale, Preparator. I had a great, creative, expansive time.

I now meet the Canada Council’s requirements for Professional Status, which makes me eligible for many other opportunities such as funding, exhibitions and residencies. To achieve this at this early stage in my career is a wonderful accomplishment, made possible through the support of the province. Thank you to the Culture Division, Peter Kirby and the jurists for your support. A special thanks also to Dieter and Consuelo, my hosts at A Bit of Country, for giving me a generous rate, driving me in and out of the gallery daily and lending me their car for my explorations in the Okanagan Valley.

Financial support from Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage is gratefully acknowledged.